Lagos State may be winning the war against crime and criminality as security experts notice that the recovery of illegal firearms from suspected criminals has contributed to a reduction in crime rates in the state.
The experts shared their views with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.
NAN reports that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, disclosed on July 3 that 82 assorted firearms and various calibres of ammunition had been recovered from criminals since he assumed office in February.
Jimoh, who displayed the recovered firearms at the Command’s headquarters in Ikeja, added that five AK-47 rifles were also found in the possession of a notorious cultist.
“More than 10 families have come forward to identify him as the individual responsible for the murder of their relatives,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the recovery of arms has contributed significantly to a decline in crime across the state.
“Violent crime in the state has been reduced to the barest minimum. No incidents of armed robbery have been recorded in the last three months,” he stated.
Jimoh attributed the success to the crime prevention and control strategies adopted by the command, which he said have enabled residents to “sleep with their eyes closed.”
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“The command will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace, protect lives and property, and ensure that criminals either flee the state or face the full weight of the law.
“Police response time to distress calls now averages around five minutes across the state,” he added.
X-raying the CP’s submission, a security expert, Mr Olaniyi Daniel, said the seizure of firearms had a way of reducing violence during criminal activities.
Daniel is the Chief Executive of the Lagos-based Premier Guard Security Ltd.
He said “reducing the number of illegal firearms in criminal hands lowers the chances of violent crimes such as robbery, assault, and murder, and helps foster a safer and more peaceful environment for residents.
“It also hinders the ability of criminal networks to coordinate and carry out violent activities,” he said.
Daniel, however, noted that firearm seizures are more effective when combined with efforts like tackling socio-economic issues, boosting community policing, and tightening arms smuggling controls.
He also stressed the need to destroy recovered weapons to prevent them from being resold or reused.
“If not properly destroyed, these weapons risk being diverted back into the hands of criminals,” he warned.
Another security expert, Mr Seyi Babaeko, said that while recovery of illegal firearms was commendable, “it does not automatically lead to a significant or sustained reduction in crime.”
According to him, such recoveries reflect active law enforcement efforts, but long-term results depend on consistent policy, intelligence-led operations, and broader systemic reforms.
According to him, the recovery of illegal firearms by the police and other security agencies is a commendable step and reflects active law enforcement efforts.
“The fact that such weapons were in circulation in the first place highlights the depth of the insecurity challenge.”
Crime, according to him, is a complex, multi-layered issue influenced not only by access to weapons but also by poverty, unemployment, lack of education, drug abuse, weak justice systems, and inadequate policing infrastructure.
“While gun recovery may cause a short-term disruption in criminal activities, long-term crime reduction requires a broader, more holistic approach that tackles the root causes of criminal behaviour,” said Seyi.
Babaeko is the Managing Director of Absolute Security and Advance Protocol Ltd.
“Though the news of arms recovery is encouraging, it represents only a small piece of a much larger puzzle,” he added.
To effectively address the proliferation of firearms, Babaeko stressed the need for a multi-pronged national strategy.
“Strengthening border security and surveillance is critical, as most illegal arms enter through porous borders,” he said.
He also called for stricter regulations on the ownership, sale, and transfer of firearms, coupled with firm enforcement of existing laws.
“Engaging local communities to report suspicious activities can support early detection and interception of arms movements,” he said.
According to him, amnesty programmes can help recover weapons from civilians, while educating youths on the dangers of illegal arms is key to changing mindsets.
Babaeko emphasised that curbing the demand for weapons hinged on the government’s ability to tackle the underlying socioeconomic drivers of crime.
“Unless we address foundational issues like poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunity, the cycle of gun proliferation and crime may persist—simply evolving under different forms,” he warned. (NAN)(www.nannews ng)
